BERGH, Russel 1916-2000

SWELLAND , BERGH, SEVERSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/29/2010 at 21:40:53

RUSSEL BERGH

OSAGE, IOWA - Russel Bergh, 84, of Osage, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

The funeral will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 833 Ash St. in Osage, with the Rev. Roy Ott officiating. According to his wishes, his body will be cremated following services. Inurnment will take place at Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon, Minn., at a later date.

Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church.

Russel Bergh was born July 14, 1916, in Kenyon, Minnesota, the youngest of nine children born to Hans E. and Berthea (Severson) Bergh, and was baptized on November 12, 1916. In 1934, Russel graduated from Kenyon High School, where he excelled in playing on every football, basketball and baseball team in the Kenyon area.

During World War II, Russel served four years in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Diego, Calif., and was a life-long member of the American Legion.

On Dec. 31, 1941, Russel was united in marriage to Helen E. Swelland of Kenyon. After several years, he and Helen settled in Austin, Minn., where they raised their two daughters, Mary and Beverly. Russel was employed in sales throughout his career.

In 1991, Russel and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by their family and friends. Their family had grown by this time to include Mary's husband, Robert and Bev's husband, Douglas, along with six grandchildren.

Left to cherish and honor his memory are two daughters, Mary and her husband, Robert Hommez, of Osage and Beverly and her husband, Douglas Frame, of Plymouth, Minn.; six grandchildren, Michael and his wife, Susan Hommez, of Mapleton, Minn., Teri and her husband, Rick Pitzen, of Dubuque, Matthew Hommez, of New City, N.Y., Nicholas Hommez, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Sara Frame, of Bellingham, Wash., and Eric Frame, of Plymouth, Minn.; and two great-granddaughters, Deidre Pitzen and Rebecca Hommez.

Russel was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 1994. Along with his parents, he was preceded by eight brothers and sisters.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home of Osage is in charge of arrangements, (641) 732-3706.

Globe Gazette